Ensuring Cleome houtteana receives the ideal sunlight involves positioning it in a location where it receives consistent, direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. This can be achieved by planting it in an open garden spot, or on a balcony with unobstructed sunlight.

Regularly check the plant's growth and foliage health. Adapt placement as necessary, ensuring it gets enough light without experiencing scorching. Use adjustable shades if too much direct sun is an issue.

Cleome houtteana (Cleome houtteana)

Also known as: Spider Flower, Spider Plant

The Spider Flower, also known as Cleome houtteana, is a flowering plant of the Cleomaceae family. Its other common names include Pink Queen, and Grandfather's Whiskers. Originally from the southern part of South America such as Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southeast Brazil, it has now found its way to South Asia, places like the Haor area of Bangladesh and India. As an annual plant, it can grow to 150 cm tall with its leaves arranged in spirals. The height of the plant ranges from 90 cm to 180 cm. Its leaves are of palmate compound type and comprise of five to seven leaflets that can grow up to 12 cm long and 4 cm wide. The plant often gets confused with cannabis due to similarity in their leaf structure and general growth pattern. The flowers are usually purple, pink, or white in color and consist of six elongated stamens and four petals. The plant bears capsule-like fruit, up to 15 cm long and 3mm wide, which contains several seeds. The plant blooms from late spring till early fall, filling the air with a scent often likened to citronella. The plant is typically grown in temperate climates and there are several variants bred for their color and other attributes. Amongst the 'Queen' series are the 'Violet Queen', 'Rose Queen', and 'White Queen' while 'Helen Campbell' variant has the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. However, there have been instances of misidentification of this plant as Cleome arborea, C. pungens or C. spinosa.

In This Article

Care Tips Water Sunlight Temperature Soil Fertilize Prune Propagation Repotting

Attributes of Cleome houtteana

Lifespan

Cleome houtteana is a perennial plant

Plant Height

1-2 meters

Spread

0.9-1.2 meters

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

8-10 cm

Flower Color

Light Purple

Images of Cleome houtteana

Quickly Identify Cleome houtteana

Cleome houtteana can be identified by its tall stature, palmately compound leaves, and its unique whisker-like stamens that extend from its blooms. The flowers usually come in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Scientific Classification of Cleome houtteana

Phylum

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Brassicales

Family

Cleomaceae

Genus

Cleome

Species

C. houtteana

Planting and Growing of Cleome houtteana

Care Difficulty

Easy

Watering Schedule

Every 3 days

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun

Sunshine Duration

6-8 hours

Ideal Temperature

60-75℉

Soil Type

Potting Mix, Peat Mix

Soil pH

6-7.5

Fertilizer Type

Balanced

Pruning Season

Spring, Summer

Pruning Area

Branches, Leaves

Pruning Frequency

2 times a year

Repotting Season

Spring

Pot Type

Plastic, Ceramic

How to Water Cleome houtteana?

For Cleome houtteana, water thoroughly so the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged. This will typically mean using around 500 ml of water each time. Ensure the water penetrates deeply, reaching the roots while allowing excess to drain away.

What are the symptoms of an underwatered Cleome houtteana? ›

What should I do if my Cleome houtteana is not getting enough water? ›

What are the symptoms of an overwatered Cleome houtteana? ›

How to save an overwatered Cleome houtteana? ›

What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Cleome houtteana?

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun, Partial sun

Duration of light: 6 to 8 hours

Cleome houtteana thrives in full to partial sun environments, requiring 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. Ideal conditions promote lush growth and vibrant blooms.

Optimal Sun Exposure ›

Adjust Seasonal Placement ›

Monitor and Adapt ›

What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Cleome houtteana?

Ideal Temperature: 60 ~ 75℉

Cleome houtteana thrives best in temperatures ranging from 60°F to 75°F. This temperature range promotes optimal growth and blooms, resembling their native tropical and subtropical habitats. Within these temperatures, the plant is able to photosynthesize efficiently, maintain healthy cellular processes, and produce vibrant flowers.

What Soil is Best for Cleome houtteana?

Soil type: Loam, Sandy loam

Soil PH: 6 ~ 7.5

Cleome houtteana thrives in well-drained soil that prevents waterlogging. This type of soil helps the plant avoid root rot and promotes healthy root growth by ensuring that water does not accumulate at the roots. A nutrient-rich medium supports the vigorous growth of Cleome houtteana, ensuring it receives ample essential nutrients. This promotes lush foliage and vibrant floral displays as the plant has the resources it needs to flourish. Maintaining a slightly acidic to neutral pH range between 6.0 and 7.5 helps Cleome houtteana to optimally absorb nutrients. Proper pH levels are crucial for energy generation and chlorophyll production, facilitating robust photosynthesis.

How to Fertilize Cleome houtteana?

Fertilizer type: Balanced

For Cleome houtteana, it is crucial to apply the right amount of fertilizer to ensure vigorous growth. Generally, for liquid fertilizers, a dilution of half the recommended strength is ideal. For slow-release granular fertilizers, apply approximately 50 grams per square meter. Over-fertilization can lead to salt build-up and damage, while under-fertilization can stunt growth, so it's essential to measure carefully.

How to Prune Cleome houtteana?

Pruning Time: Spring, Summer

To prune Cleome houtteana, begin by sterilizing your pruning shears to prevent the spread of disease. Target any wilted or yellowing leaves and remove them first. Focus on cutting back any leggy stems by trimming just above a leaf node to encourage bushier growth. During the growing season, regularly deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming. For an overall tidy appearance, it’s beneficial to trim back excessive growth by about one-third, ensuring the plant remains vigorous and beautifully shaped.

How to Propagate Cleome houtteana plant?

Propagate Time: Spring, Early summer

Fill the seed tray with a well-draining potting mix, making sure it is evenly spread without air pockets. Water the mix lightly to make it moist but not soggy.

Scatter the Cleome houtteana seeds over the prepared surface of the seed tray, taking care not to overcrowd them. Lightly cover the seeds with a thin layer of potting mix.

Place the seed tray in a warm, bright location, but avoid direct sunlight. Maintain a consistent temperature for optimal germination, ideally between 70-75°F.

How to Repot Cleome houtteana plant?

Repotting frequency: Biennial repotting recommended

Cleome houtteana should be repotted when its roots become visibly entangled or when the soil loses its ability to retain moisture effectively. Observing these signs, often during the growing season, indicates the optimal time to repot for fostering healthy growth.

Select a pot that’s about 2 inches larger in diameter than the current one. Ensure it has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which can be detrimental to root health. The right size will accommodate future growth without overwhelming the plant.

Choose a soil rich in organic matter and light enough for good aeration. This blend helps the plant maintain adequate hydration and nutrient uptake, supporting robust development and vibrant foliage.

Learn More About Cleome houtteana Diseases

Anthracnose Bacterial Leaf Spot Bacterial Wilt Damping-off Downy Mildew Drought Stress Fusarium Wilt Gray Mold Leaf Spot Mosaic Nutrient Deficiency Nutrient Toxicity Powdery Mildew Root Rot Root-knot Nematode Rusts Sooty Mold Spider Mites Temperature Stress Thrips Damage White Mold